Play Played Playing I Time Part Children Extra

• you'll have to play inside today.
• there's a time to work and a time to play.
• a group of kids were playing with a ball in the street.
• i haven't got anybody to play with!

play

Verb Forms

1. to do things for pleasure, as children do; to enjoy yourself, rather than work
• You'll have to play inside today.
• There's a time to work and a time to play.
• A group of kids were playing with a ball in the street.
• I haven't got anybody to play with!
• Let's play a different game.

Extra Examples

• The other children wouldn't let him play.
• The little girl was playing with her toys.
• The children spent too much time playing computer games.
• I used to spend hours playing with Lego.
2. to pretend to be or do something for fun
• SEE ALSO role-play
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/role-play_1
• Let's play pirates.
• Let's play at pirates!
• They were playing at being cowboys.
3. to be involved in a game; to compete against somebody in a game
• to play football/cards
• I usually play chess with my brother.
• France are playing Wales tomorrow.
• Have you played her at squash yet?
• He plays for Cleveland.
• France are playing against Wales on Saturday.
• I like football, but I don't have anyone to play with.
• Evans played very well.

Extra Examples

• I've never played John at tennis.
• She has played in every game this season.
• She was playing cards with her mother.
• These guys make the team very difficult to play against.
• United are difficult to play against.
• Do you want to play cards with me?
• Have you ever played her at chess?
• They play basketball on Saturday mornings.
• They've played six games in the last month.
• If you are interested in playing or coaching, please contact the club president.
• He plays golf on Sundays.
• Both teams played well.
• She plays for the local team.
• Matches were played on Sunday.
4. to take a particular position in a sports team
• Who's playing on the wing?
• I've never played right back before.
5. to include somebody in a sports team
• I think we should play Matt on the wing.
6. to make contact with the ball and hit or kick it in the way mentioned
• She played the ball and ran forward.
• He played a backhand volley.
7. to move a piece in chess, etc.
• She played her bishop.
8. to put a card face upwards on the table, showing its value
• to play your ace/a trump
• He played out of turn!
9. to perform music on a musical instrument
• She played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20.
• The music is well played and beautifully recorded.
• In the distance a band was playing.
• He sat in the corner, playing softly on his guitar.
• He played a tune on his harmonica.
• Play that new piece to us.
• Play us that new piece.

Extra Examples

• Have you ever heard her play?
• The band will be playing live in the studio.
• a piece that is relatively easy to play
• She was playing songs on her ukelele.
• Classical music was playing in the background.
• He played the bride in with ‘The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba’.
10. to have the skill of performing on a musical instrument
• Do you play a musical instrument?
• to play the piano/violin/flute
• I'm learning to play sax.

Extra Examples

• learning to play the violin
• They learnt to dance, sing and play musical instruments.
• In my twenties, I played trombone at a fairly high level.
11. to use an MP3 player, a CD player, etc. to make it possible to hear a song, an album, a CD, etc.
• I played some music to drown out the noise.
• They're always playing that song on the radio.
12. (of a song, an album, etc.) to be heard
• My favourite song was playing on the radio.
13. to start working; to make a video on DVD start working
• These videos won't play on my computer.
• Click below to play videos.
• Nothing happens when I try to play a DVD.
• A short video was played to the court showing the inside of the house.
14. to act in a play, film, etc.; to act the role of somebody
• to play a role/part
• The part of Elizabeth was played by Cate Blanchett.
• He had always wanted to play Othello.
• He was chosen to play the role of Judas.
• She usually plays historical characters.
• She played opposite Brad Pitt (= she and Brad Pitt played the two leading roles).
15. to pretend to be something that you are not
• The children were dressed as soldiers, but they were just playing.
• I decided it was safer to play dead.
• She enjoys playing the wronged wife.
16. to behave as though you are a particular type of person
• This is no time to play the hero.
• She always did enjoy playing the victim.
17. to be performed
• A production of ‘Carmen’ was playing to packed houses.
18. to give a performance in a particular place
• The band are playing 11 cities around the country.
• I've played some fantastic venues.
19. to have an effect or influence on something
• Social media played an important part in the last election.
• Farming plays a crucial role in maintaining the landscape.
• High environmental temperatures may also play a role.
• Businesses can play their part by contributing some of their profits.
• All countries have a part to play in protecting the environment.

Extra Examples

• Pesticides play a very important role in food production.
• Sugar plays a major part in dental cavities.
• Zinc may play an important part in the health of the prostate.
• The media has a role to play in informing the public debate.
20. to trick somebody for fun
• Children ran around the village playing tricks.
• I played a trick on him just to see his reaction.
21. to deal with a situation in the way mentioned
• He played the situation carefully for maximum advantage.
22. to do something without being serious about it or putting much effort into it
• He was just playing at it before—now he's serious.
• They were playing at being villains, like in the movies.
• Officials are playing politics with farm programs.
23. to be willing to work with other people in a helpful way, especially so that somebody can get what they want
• He needs another loan, but the bank won't play.
24. to move or appear quickly and lightly, often changing direction or shape
• Sunlight played on the surface of the lake.
• A small smile played on her lips.
25. when a fountain plays, it produces a steady stream of water
• Two huge fountains were playing outside the entrance.
26. to have plenty of money, time, etc. for doing something
27. to masturbate
28. used to ask in an angry way about what somebody is doing
• What do you think you are playing at?

Word Origin

• Old English pleg(i)an ‘to exercise’, plega ‘brisk movement’, related to Middle Dutch pleien ‘leap for joy, dance’.